Question

I recently switched to T-Mobile and I got a new phone number as a result. Ever since then, I've been receiving calls from telemarketers/scammers. I'm running CM7 which has a call block feature, but they keep calling from different numbers.

So I'm looking for an app that has a blacklist of known telemarkers and which occasionally updates, similarly to Adblock subscriptions. I've found a couple apps so far which do just this (WhosCall and Mr. Number), but they seem kind of sketchy to me and I'm paranoid about what I install on my phone. There are other apps which have a *call block* feature, but most don't clarify if there's a built-in list or if you must manually block numbers.

I'm wondering if there are any *trustworthy* apps with such a feature, or an antivirus even. I already run Avast which has a call block feature, but no downloadable list.

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[quote name='helpifIcan' timestamp='1348326268' post='595197521']
Is there a do not call list available to you, basically a number you call and put in your number. This supposedly blocks them from being allowed to call you.
[/quote]
It doesn't help. People on the Do Not Call list have gotten calls from these numbers regardless.

Change your number ?
[/quote]
I often get calls from numbers I don't recognize, whether from school or work. But usually, I won't answer if I don't recognize the area code and let it forward to voicemail.

Changing my phone number seems like the best option. Only a few people know my real number; I use Google Voice for everything else.

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In the UK we have an option called the Telephone Preference Service. It's governed under something call the Direct Marketing Association. Essentially you register your number for free (you just have to prove you own that number every 12 months or your registrations lapses) and any companies using direct marketing techniques (as you seem to be plagued by) who call you while your number is registered will earn a "strike" once you've reported them. Three strikes and those companies are fined heavily and repeated offences after that will have them investigated by the national watchdog (OfCom in our case) which means they essentially have to stop business for a few days to have everything they do gone over with a fine tooth comb.

I'm assuming however, you're not a resident of our green and pleasant land but there should be something like this available where you live?

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In the UK we have an option called the Telephone Preference Service. It's governed under something call the Direct Marketing Association. Essentially you register your number for free (you just have to prove you own that number every 12 months or your registrations lapses) and any companies using direct marketing techniques (as you seem to be plagued by) who call you while your number is registered will earn a "strike" once you've reported them. Three strikes and those companies are fined heavily and repeated offences after that will have them investigated by the national watchdog (OfCom in our case) which means they essentially have to stop business for a few days to have everything they do gone over with a fine tooth comb.

I'm assuming however, you're not a resident of our green and pleasant land but there should be something like this available where you live?
[/quote]

I knew there was something you could do to stop them, but wasn't sure what it was called, registering my home number tomorrow with Telephone Preference Service, I assume they need to call to confirm it is my number so I`ll wait until people are not in bed

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anwser the phone; if it's a telemarketer just say "oh just wait a minute i'm going to see if the responsable person can anwser that" and then leave the call on...until they drop it (they are paying for that).

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[quote name='Nashy' timestamp='1348532224' post='595203235']
Do USA carriers not put number into quarantine for a certain amount of time before re-using the number?
[/quote]
Nope. I've seen some people get old hooker numbers and such

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They're not telemarketers as much as they are scammers. They're automated machine messages, with crap like, "Win a free cruise!" The number does appear though, which is why I'm able to Google the numbers (which is why I can verify the DOC list does nothing for us Americans), as well as block the numbers. But they have a multitude of numbers to call from, and I'm sure they're constantly changing them as well.

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[quote name='Xilo' timestamp='1348532471' post='595203241']
Nope. I've seen some people get old hooker numbers and such
[/quote]

That must be a pain in the ass. Given any phone number in Australia is always owned by one particular carrier, once it is cancelled, it is quarantined with whatever carrier the number is currently being used at for 6 months, because being sent back to the original carrier for at least another 6 months.

Eg. My phone number is a Telstra number, but I'm with Vodafone (I moved from Telstra years ago with the same number).

If I cancel, my number will stay with Vodafone for 6 months, go back to Telstra and be re-used after 6 months sitting with them.

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As a former Telemarketer, I laugh at the suggestions here to irritate the reps on the calls. By making the calls as long as possible you're doing them a favour, do you really think they want to rush off your call onto some other douchebag who's likely to rant at them over how inconvenient a phone call is.

My personal favourites were always those that rant about why calling them during dinner, when the factual answer is usually, because you weren't home earlier. If I didn't want to talk to someone/anyone on the phone, I simply don't answer it

Oh I use Call Filter to block unknown numbers automatically, it's great as I never even know they've called unless they leave a voicemail, which most don't

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I share your sentiment. I also have doubts with these apps. So before I download a app, I do a little research and check on forum discussions regarding the app. I read reviews, comments and if I'm convinced it's working and safe to use, that's when I install it.

But if you're not into blocking apps, there are two other ways to block phone numbers. Be aware that call blocking is primarily controlled at the telephone service provider level. You can simply call them and give the phone numbers you wish to block. Or, you can also check out steps to block numbers depending on the make and model of your phone. You just have to update settings.

And I strongly suggest you report these telemarketers to www.callercenter.com as well. Expose them and raise a warning.

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[quote name='-T-' timestamp='1348564417' post='595203965']
As a former Telemarketer, I laugh at the suggestions here to irritate the reps on the calls. By making the calls as long as possible you're doing them a favour, do you really think they want to rush off your call onto some other douchebag who's likely to rant at them over how inconvenient a phone call is.

My personal favourites were always those that rant about why calling them during dinner, when the factual answer is usually, because you weren't home earlier. If I didn't want to talk to someone/anyone on the phone, I simply don't answer it

Oh I use Call Filter to block unknown numbers automatically, it's great as I never even know they've called unless they leave a voicemail, which most don't
[/quote]

Whats your record for staying on the line? When I can't be more imaginative I say "I'll go and get him" Leave the phone on the table and go into a different room to continue what I was doing. The record so far is 17 minutes.

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Whats your record for staying on the line? When I can't be more imaginative I say "I'll go and get him" Leave the phone on the table and go into a different room to continue what I was doing. The record so far is 17 minutes.
[/quote]

My record was over an hour as the person just put the phone down incorrectly, it was like an hour long extra break. At one point as we were calling from a phone company, at the end of the day, we'd tell people that some maintenance was being done on the line, and it'd go dead silent, so please leave it off the hook. Then we'd sit on mute until the shift ended